Austria holidays and flights to Austria

Austria may be small but it's also packed with variety, from grand Hapsburg palaces to mountain-framed alpine-green pastures. Stick to the cities to sip cream-smothered Viennese coffees in chandelier-lit cafes or trawl contemporary art galleries in fast developing Linz. Head for the great outdoors for lively apres-ski chalets or ski down Tyrol's snowy Alps.

Holidays in Austria

Our recommended holidays in Austria

From Graz to Linz on the River Danube, Austrian cities share a love of coffee houses, otherwise known as temples to sinful Sachertorte chocolate cake, and sacred Gemtlichkeit, literally cosiness. Trace the winding River Danube to Austria's cultural centre and capital city, Vienna, or visit Mozart's birthplace in beautiful Salzburg. Head west to the Vorarlberg and Tyrol regions to snuggle in wooden alpine chalets and nibble on farm-fresh cheese.

Discover Austria

City breaks in Austria

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Admire Vienna's vast Museums Quartier collection of museums. Or try local speciality Sachertorte cake in an elegant 19th-century coffee house. Take a stroll along the twinkling Ringstrasse boulevard that wraps itself around Vienna's centre. Climb Graz's medieval clock tower, looming above a jumble of red-roofed townhouses. Or head north to Linz, the pulse of modern-day Austria with cutting-edge art galleries and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Things to do in Austria

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The Eastern Alps steal the limelight in the Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Salzburgerland areas. Fly to Innsbruck for summertime rambles through edelweiss flower meadows. In the winter, stay in a popular ski resort like Kitzbühel or Mayrhofen. Gaze up at the Grossglockner or hear the crash of Krimml Falls waterfall in Hohe Tauern National Park. Moving east the scenery shifts to rolling woodland and shady apple orchards.

Skiing in Austria

Ski holidays in Austria offer high quality pistes, great modern lifts and world-class ski schools.

Bad Gastein

Venture to the Gastein Valley and take a ski holiday in Bad Gastein. With four ski areas and 250km of skiable terrain, this is a great place for beginners and intermediates – with its mix of long runs, open slopes and lower woodland trails. Jump on the local bus to reach lift stations or head to the gondola nearby. The old spa town of Bad Gastein is ideal for groups looking for a lively après ski scene, which continues into a thriving nightlife. Relax after your night out and soothe your ski legs at one of the ski town’s famous thermal spas.

Bad Hofgastein

Experience the Gasteinertal ski area, with a ski break in Bad Hofgastein. Access the slopes from here by funicular railway before you catch a chairlift to get higher. Beginner skiers can exercise their abilities on the small learning area by the Angertal Ski Centre, before moving on to leisurely blues. For intermediates, there is a selection of long red runs and a handful of steeper reds for progressing intermediates. This ski village offers a more nonchalant après ski scene than its neighbouring ski towns, an Austrian beer (or two) are a treat after big ski days on the mountain. Treat yourself further, and relax in one of the local spas.

Hermagor

Take a ski holiday in the Carnic Alps, with a stay in Hermagor. The Hermagor and Nassfeld ski area offers fantastic skiing for intermediate and advanced skiers, with 110km of pistes and abundance of red runs. For something different, check out the Funpark and choose from snowscooters, tubes, bobsledding and more. Alternatively, you can enjoy guided snowshoeing hikes, take a turn at cross-country skiing or glide over an ice-rink. When you need a lunch break, there are plenty of eateries on the mountain to grab a bite. Ready for a taste of après ski? There are a selection of brilliant bars and party places in and around Hermagor.

Ischgl

Known for its superb après ski, Ischgl is a great place for those looking for both quality skiing and a party atmosphere. The beginning, middle and end of the season are all marked by huge concerts by some big name bands and artists. There is a big German contingent and they love to party, so bring your beer drinking buddies. The skiing itself takes place in snow sure Paznaun Valley high up in the Silveretta mountains, with north facing slopes almost guaranteeing long seasons. From sloping blues to difficult blacks, Ischgl offers a challenging range.

Kaprun

Sitting at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Kaprun is a wonderful resort both on and off the piste. The range of slopes are impressive, from gentle greens for the newcomers to a 63% gradient black – the ‘Black Mamba’ – which only the best skiers will be able to navigate safely. There is a lot to do after skiing too, with spas, ice skating and sledging on offer. Après ski is great too, from the quaint Austrian taverns to the more lively bars and clubs you’ll find something to suit your style.

Kitzbühel

Home to the famous annual Hahnenkamm Race, Kitzbühel is a great resort for every level. From newcomers to experts there is a run for you, so expect to be sharing the pistes with some very good skiers. Wide slopes accommodate beginners, whilst steep red and black runs allow the more advanced to gain some real speed. It is said that skiing was ‘invented’ here, but what brings the international crowd is more than that. Great food, both traditional and modern, chic bars and high-end shops all create a sense of luxurious charm.

Lech

Discover divine skiing and exclusivity in Lech ski resort. Explore Lech’s 276km of pistes within the vast ski area of Arlberg and enjoy the excellent snow, due to its own micro-climate. For beginners, there are a few great slopes for learning and brilliant ski school for lessons. Intermediate and advanced skiers can savour the wealth of red runs and challenging pistes, as well as the chance for a guided off-piste tour. When you’re ready to rest your legs, there are plenty of alpine restaurants to dine in and outside bars for après ski. Soak up every touch of luxury at this resort, ideal for a romantic getaway.

Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen is one of the most famous resorts in Austria, being great for both skiing and snowboarding, with fantastic snow parks and extraordinary off piste. You will find the steepest piste run in Austria in the Harikiri (meaning an honourable suicide in Japanese) black run, which at 78% gradient is not for the fainthearted. Off the slopes you can enjoy some fantastic bars and clubs, both traditional and contemporary cuisine and one of the most famous festivals of the winter season, ‘Snowbombing’. Add to this spas, sleigh rides and tobogganing and you have a resort to return to year after year.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Saalbach and Hinterglemm are two resorts only four kilometres apart, and both offer superb skiing and snowboarding. In 2015, they were connected to Fieberbrunn to create the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang Ski Circus, which covers 270km of pistes, making it one of the largest ski areas in Austria. And with five snow parks and even a boarder cross course, this is also a brilliant area for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Saalbach has some amazing modern restaurants, and Hinterglemm’s après ski finds enthusiastic skiers dancing on tables, so watch your fingers and toes.

Schladming

Go skiing in the world-class resort of Schladming and explore the Styrian mountain range. With 175km of pristine pistes, soak up the scenery and develop your ski skills in one of Austria’s most glistening winter destinations. This ski area is fantastic for all-levels of skier, whether you’re a progressing beginner ready to cruise leisurely blues, or an advanced skier ready to ride across the reds – there is something for every ability here. After big days on the mountain, discover brilliant bars for a slice of après ski. Night time in Schladming is lively and sociable, choose to dance until dawn or cosy up in a pub.

Seefeld

Seefeld has twice been the venue for the Winter Olympics, probably because it is close to the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck, has a selection of quality hotels and great snow-sure conditions. There are also world-class cross country skiing tracks all around Seefeld, alongside the beginner-friendly pistes of steady blues and simple reds. After the day’s skiing, you will find some brilliant restaurants, memorable après ski and even a casino. Spend the evening in style at the Bräukeller, an underground grotto serving delicious Tyrolean specialities and homemade Klosterbräu beer.

Sölden

Sölden is the largest resort in the Ötztal valley, great for skiing but even better for après ski. Attracting a young and lively crowd, there are more than 80 bars in the town centre and between 3-8pm you’ll see many a reveller dancing atop the tables. The skiing is also excellent as the two glaciers make for snow-sure conditions early in the season, so you are often able to ski from October until April. The range of pistes will suit all abilities, from shallow learner slopes to exciting red runs and even a few super-steep blacks.

Söll

Whilst it might not be the highest resort in Austria, Söll is surely one of the best connected, being part of the massive SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental circuit. As Austria’s biggest skiing area, you will find something for you, whether you are brand new to skiing or if you are old hat. Höhe Salve has some impressively steep blacks, so if you have the skill and the nerve, try and take these on. Off the slopes, the delightful centre of Söll is full of quaint taverns and gastronomic treats.

St Anton

Renowned for its challenging piste skiing and legendary off-piste runs, St Anton is thought of as one of the best high-alpine resorts in the world. Part of the Ski Arlberg area, you’ll have 305 kilometres of pistes and 200 km of off piste. Not really for the beginner – they have no green runs – but they have an amazing array of difficult reds and death-defying black pistes. St Anton is also one of the most sophisticated resorts in Europe. So after the day skiing, perhaps go to the spa, eat at a gourmet bistro, or head down for some serious après ski in a stylish bar.

St. Johann

Make tracks to the ski resort of St. Johann, a charming Tirolean village within the Kitzbüheler Alps. This small resort is a great choice for beginners and intermediates, with just 60km of pistes – picture nursery runs, open slopes, with a mix of blue and red runs alongside panoramic mountain views. There is also a ski school for those wanting lessons and a snow park to play in for the adventurous, who want to advance their skills and tricks. St. Johann offers a wonderful ski holiday for families, as well as couples and groups learning or progressing their ski skills.

Zell am See

This beautiful lakeside town is idyllic, traditionally Tyrolean, but is also a modern ski resort with high-tech, fast-moving lifts up to 3000 metres. Zell am See itself is a large town, with fantastic bars, great shopping and high-end hotels, making it a good destination for a luxury ski holiday. The pistes are perfect for beginners, with some long wide blue runs together with spectacular views of the lake below. There are also some brilliant red runs for the more advanced skiers, and even a few steep blacks for the courageous. Afterwards, head down into town for some well-deserved après ski beers.